Fine weather will make for one of the worst Easter getaways on the roads in recent years, experts have warned as they urged motorists to avoid key hot spots for congestion.

Last year, snow and ice convinced many families to avoid using their cars over the Easter break but the current mild conditions are likely to see millions taking to the roads.

With Easter falling late and many schools breaking up today, a significant proportion of workers are likely to take next week as holiday meaning traffic will begin to build up from Friday afternoon, the AA said.

The RAC predicted as many as 100 million journeys could be made during the course of the day, as the holiday getaway adds to the pressure of Friday traffic which is usually 10 per cent higher than a normal weekday.

Friday and Saturday are likely to see “significant” congestion across the country but the situation will be particularly severe in London as crowds arrive for two FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley and the London Marathon.

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Maundy Thursday will be the busiest day on the roads so far this year, and roads will remain highly congested until Good Friday morning, Trafficmaster said.

The traffic data service has compiled a list of the areas most likely to see traffic jams both this weekend and at the start of the Easter public holiday.

The five busiest stretches are likely to be:

• The A303 westbound through Hampshire, Wiltshire and Somerset;

• The M1 between the M25 interchange and Milton Keynes, and between East Midlands Airport and Sheffield;

• The M5 southbound from Almondsbury to Exeter for the West Country;

• The M6 in both directions through the West Midlands from junction 4a and northwards towards Lancashire;

• All sections of the M25 but particularly in both directions around Heathrow Airport and interchanges with the M4 and M40.

The AA estimates that some 16 million cars will take to the roads at least once over the Easter weekend, with a poll of 24,000 members suggesting 55 per cent may make a leisure journey during the bank holiday.

Worst congestion hotspots for getaway traffic, according to Trafficmaster

Easter Sunday is expected to be quiet but traffic will become heavy again on Easter Monday from lunchtime onwards.

Tony Rich of the AA said: “While mild weather has thankfully replaced the snow and ice of last Easter, it doesn’t mean drivers should be any less prepared.

“It’s going to be busy at times on the roads and, for some people, will be their first long-distance car journey of the year, which can reveal any underlying mechanical problems.”

Prof Stephen Glaister, director of the RAC Foundation, added: “Four million people will leave the country this month for holidays abroad. But those trying to get away from it all must allow plenty of time to reach ports and airports or else congested roads risk turning a foreign vacation into a staycation.”

For those planning to avoid the roads this weekend, a programme of engineering work means that buses will replace trains at times between Lewes and Eastbourne/Hastings/Ashford International; Swindon and Gloucester; Maidenhead and Marlow; Gloucester and Bristol Parkway; Luton and Bedford; Taunton and Exeter; Thorpe-le-Soken and Clacton-on-Sea; and Meopham/Strood and Gillingham.